Slow ticket sales hamper Cup build-up

Fans given an extra chance to book for World Cup as Germany fails to sell allocation

The latest ticket ballot for the World Cup in South Africa closes today amid concerns over the numbers sold both locally and in Europe for this summer's finals. The German football association (DFB) has so far sold just 1,916 of the 21,000 tickets it has been allocated; as it stands Australian fans could outnumber their German counterparts by 10 to one when they meet in Durban on the first weekend of the tournament.

Supporters have until tonight to apply for tickets, either for individual games or to follow a certain team through the group stage and beyond, which will then be allocated through a draw – if you apply today there is as much chance of getting into a game as if you applied when this stage began after last month's draw. Remaining tickets will be offered through another phase that begins next month.

While demand for England tickets remains high, the take-up through some other national associations has been modest. The Dutch, traditionally one of the better-supported nations, have sold 7,000 out of 22,000, breaking down to 2-3,000 per match, while the German figure stands at 579 for the game against the Socceroos, who are expected to fill their allocation of around 7,000. For the group D fixtures against Serbia and Ghana, Germany have, so far, sold 655 and 682 tickets respectively.

When the Germans hosted the tournament four years ago there were six applications for every ticket. Any tickets unsold by national associations will be offered to their opponents, which is good news for England supporters chasing seats for the games against Algeria and Slovenia, neither of whom is likely to fill quotas in the region of 7,000 for each game. It raises the embarrassing prospect for Fifa and the local organising committee of a game such as Germany against Ghana, a fixture between one of Europe's great powers and Africa's coming force, being played out in front of rows of empty seats in Johannesburg's Soccer City.

The DFB advances a range of issues for the slow take up. The price and availability of flights and accommodation, as well as well-documented concerns over crime, are cited, although that does not appear to have dimmed England's supporters' enthusiasm. Around 10,000 are estimated to make the trip. "We must use the months until the World Cup to build up confidence," said Theo Zwanziger, the DFB's president.

Take up in Africa has been worst of all. Last week Danny Jordaan, the chief executive of South Africa 2010, disclosed that fewer than 100,000 tickets had been sold through the federations of the six African nations in the final. More South Africans have applied for tickets to watch England than their own side. It has led the organisers to propose to Fifa that tickets be sold over the counter in South Africa. The need to apply over the internet is said to hinder African sales, while pricing is also having an impact.

Tomorrow Ajax Cape Town and Santos will play the Cape derby in Greenpoint stadium as a test event. Capacity is limited but it is sold out – tickets are a top-priced 50 rand (£4) in contrast to 140 rand for the World Cup.